Disclaimer: The usual. Don't own anything you recognize.

KINGS AND VAGABONDS

By Etcetera Kit

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Nowhere Is Home III

Ah – Monday! This particular Monday didn't feel as monotonous as previous Mondays, simply because he didn't have a routine to get back into yet. Ethan was bringing up coordinates and recent video transmissions needed for that morning's briefing. Tommy was muttering to himself in the empty command center. Ethan just shook his head as he compiled the data. Trent was busy this morning – sending a letter to the parents of the underage cadets and the officers themselves about the change of command. He would also be stuck answering phones all day.

"Do we have enough morphers for a ten person squad?" Tommy suddenly asked.

Ethan looked up. "Sure – the technology isn't hard to duplicate. But you're going to end up with some weird colors if you want that many people on a squad."

The former Black Ranger shook his head. "I'm just concerned about finding the A-Squad – and the transmissions aren't all that helpful."

"I think it's a lost cause."

"You're not the only one."

"When's that meeting with Lightspeed and Bio-Lab supposed to happen?"

"This afternoon – an extended lunch of some kind." Tommy shrugged. "It's with Bill Mitchell and Wes Collins – and I'm not sure what we're going to accomplish."

"You know Wes – and Mitchell is Carter's father-in-law. I'm sure it will be fine."

"Yeah well… I think Wes wants to donate some money, but I can't figure out why. Sure, he used to work for SPD, but SPD has also been the cause of most of the pain in his life. Why either of them want anything to do with SPD is beyond me."

"Obviously, it's because you're in charge. Both of them know and respect you." Ethan paused. "They probably see it as the reincarnation of SPD."

"Sure."

Ethan gave his former science teacher a sympathetic look. Tommy didn't often act like he was over forty, but there were times when he would pause and would seem so much older than he actually was. In a way, he was glad that it wasn't him being put in charge of SPD. Cruger had asked Tommy to be his successor a long time ago, but Tommy had thought that he would be long gone by the time the dog retired. It was odd that, upon seeing his education and credentials, the disgraced former head of SPD hadn't suspected that Tommy had been a ranger.

"What else is on the docket for today?" the former Blue Ranger asked.

"Meeting with the B-Squad this morning. I also have to talk to Kira and see if she wants to remain in her capacity as a teacher."

"And?" There was more than Tommy was telling.

"I'm thinking of sending Austin and Paris on a search mission."

"For the A-Squad?"

"Austin was trained as a space pilot at the Nebula Academy and is certified to fly almost all two or three person shuttles we could throw at him. Paris has basic forensics and was trained to be part of an intergalactic search party."

"You're the boss, boss." Ethan looked up and met Tommy's gaze, both of them grinning. That had been a running joke when they still worked for CTU. Ethan would make snide comments about things that didn't require snide comments, while Tommy would ask him if he still wanted a job the next morning. In situations that weren't high priority, comments like 'you're the boss, boss' and 'it's your funeral' were frequent.

"Conner's not going to be in today either," Tommy continued. "And no one is to contact him unless it's the end of the world."

"I seriously doubt we'll have end of the world problems today."

"After the formal B-Squad meeting, I'm putting them on standby only for the rest of the week – Austin and Paris will need to be briefed on their mission and given an itinerary. They can leave Monday morning." Tommy let out a long breath. "And we still need to move out here and tie up loose ends."

"Already done." They turned to see Trent walking into the command center. He was the most casual of the three of them, wearing a white sweater with jeans. None of them had SPD uniforms yet and it would be awkward trying to find them, since Tommy was the commander and none of them had been previously part of the organization. "The movers should be clearing out your apartments by now – there're branches of your banks in Newtech and SPD will be taking care of the remaining rent money. Your cars should be here with the movers later today." He walked over to Tommy and handed him a data pad. "Read that and sign it. I'll be sending that out en mass in a little bit."

For all his eccentricities, if one put Trent in charge, he worked hard and had his act together. It was a little scary how completely organized and professional he could be when he wasn't working on his comics.

"This is good BS, Trent," Tommy muttered as he signed the form letter.

"Some of the best I've turned out lately." Trent took the data pad. "I'll have this out to all the cadets, their parents, officers and support staff by noon." He left the command center.

"I'd have never pictured him as a people person," Ethan muttered.

"He's not a people person – he just knows how to schmooze people."

The former Blue Ranger snickered. It was amazing that the five former rangers were working as a unit after fifteen years of separation. Once a ranger, always a ranger… it was like being in the Mafia, once you were in, you were in forever.

"You'll be taking a Tangarian fighter plane. It's small enough to manually maneuver through most atmospheres, but large enough that you can stay there comfortably without having to set up camp on a foreign planet. There's also a large cargo bay that will hold most of your supplies and a few spare parts."

Tommy looked at the pair in front of him. Both were now wearing ranger uniforms – Austin's had white trim, while Paris' had black. The Grayson twins were both paying attention with a single-minded intensity that almost scared him. Had neither of them been sent on a mission like this before? He suspected not. He pushed a button on the control panel, switching to a map of the galaxy.

"The last known transmission from the A-Squad came from this location," he continued, motioning to a planet marked in red. "Your primary sweep will be of that planet – the fighting has moved from there so you should be safe. If you find nothing on that planet, then you can continue to sweep the system. After two weeks, even if you've found nothing, you are to come back to Earth."

"When are we leaving," Austin asked.

"Monday morning, 0800."

The older of the twins nodded. Paris had a neutral expression on her face. Of course, she always had a neutral expression on her face. None of the gossip had filtered back to him yet, but he suspected that Paris was staying with SPD because she couldn't think of something else to do right away. Carter and Dana, while wanting to see Cruger brought to justice, were supportive of their children remaining at SPD as rangers. Not so long ago, the pair of them had been at a similar organization with the same task.

"You're on standby only until 0600 on Monday. At that time, I need you be in conference room A, ready to receive your final briefing before departure."

"Anything else?" Austin asked.

"If you run into any trouble at all, abort the mission and get back here." Tommy paused, shaking his head. "I don't want another replay of what happened to the A-Squad – none of this MIA business."

"Yes, sir," the twins said in unison.

"Any other questions?" The pair remained silent. "In that case, dismissed."

He watched their departure, noting that both used the door instead of going through as they were able to do. Trent had dug up some files from the training exercises and found that each of them had to hone their powers into weapons. With something like phasing, it was obvious what could and couldn't be done – the only such training with the twins had been to see if there was anything they couldn't phase through. With the others, including Conner, the med records were more than enough.

"We're not going to die on this mission," Paris said for what seemed like the millionth time since their family had sat down for dinner.

Mariner Bay wasn't too far from Newtech City, so the drive had been peaceful as most people were lost in their thoughts. However, things had exploded once they sat down to eat. Paris and Austin were leaving on a special mission in a week. Syd snorted to herself, realizing that she never listed Austin first when mentally referring to the twins. Despite people's worries over this assignment, sitting around the table with her family felt right. The house and food were nothing like what they had for most of their childhoods, but it had much more feeling to it. Chicken, pasta, green beans… it was so foreign, yet was right.

"We have strict orders to come back if the situation seems at all hostile," Austin interjected, soothing any storms that might be coming. Their mother looked like she was fighting an internal battle. Syd felt sympathetic. They had been reunited two days ago and the twins were taking off in a week. Their mother sighed, relenting to what Austin had said. That was Austin – ever the peacemaker.

"Besides," Austin continued as he spooned pasta onto his plate. "It will be great to get some practical experience to go with all the training we've had."

Good grief – someone needed to make Austin a used car salesman.

In fact, this reunion was odd on more than one level. She and Paris were used to spending time with each other simply because they had been at SPD together for the past three years and, for most of the time, avoided their adopted parents. Austin got shipped to the Nebula Academy right before Syd joined – it had literally been her and Paris persevering through everything that was thrown at them. Austin had been back on Earth a little over forty-eight hours – and he hadn't seen them for three years. Then throwing their parents into the picture… it made for five people that really didn't know anything about one another.

But beyond all of that, they were whole again and the situation was something she had wanted since she could remember. Another insane urge wanted her to invite Sky over to one of these dinners so that he could meet her parents properly and not within the contexts of finding information. Besides, Sky was bound to get along with her dad.

"This chicken is orgasmic," Paris commented, now that the conversation was moving away from the new assignment she and Austin had.

"Most people don't describe food as orgasmic," Austin told her.

"You obviously have not had one of those death-by-chocolate sundaes at Bluebell's," she replied testily, referring to the local ice cream place that was haunted by SPD personnel. "And I am not 'most people'," she added, glaring at her twin.

"I never said that," Austin replied delicately.

"You implied it!" Paris shot back.

"You guys used to do this when you were little," Carter muttered, spearing the pasta onto his fork.

That got the attention of the twins. They turned their identical blue-eyed gaze to their father. "Really?" Paris asked.

"It was mostly over crayons," their father continued. "You were forever convinced that Austin was purposely breaking your crayons," he said to Paris.

Paris gave Austin an appraising stare. "Sounds like something he would do."

"Wait a minute!" Austin cried. "How many times did I have to go rescue your clothing from Syd because she borrowed something without asking?"

"That's not the point, it's the principle of thing," Paris sniffed.

"And don't bring me into this," Syd added.

"And that reminds me…" Paris whirled on Syd. She plastered an innocent expression over her face and began to find her food really interesting. "Where is that black camisole of mine that you said would look 'so cute' with your new skirt?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Paris snorted. "You'd better cough it up before we leave."

"Hey everyone!"

The argument stopped just as Syd was about to protest that she would give the offending article back, but she wasn't sure what Paris was going to do with it when she was on official SPD business. The man who entered was taller with blonde hair to match theirs and looked similar to their mother – followed by an older man.

"Your Uncle Ryan and Granpa Mitchell," their father said.

"We brought desert," Ryan said. Both of these relatives were on their mother's side, but were close to them if the pictures in the living room where anything to go by. "Chocolate cheesecake from Bluebell's."

"I like you already," Paris said. She turned back to Syd. "I want my camisole back!"

Sky sighed, running a finger around the rim of the mug of hot chocolate he was drinking. Everyone was inside the house that he and Eric had lived in for fifteen years. His father had some propositions for SPD and they were staying in Newtech City for a day or two before heading back to Silver Hills. However, no one was in the backyard. They had a small concrete porch out here with some lawn chairs. It brought back memories of stargazing and just talking when he had been younger. He glanced at the dead plants on the back porch. They always had plants and the plants always died, except for that one cactus…

He hadn't much time to spend with Syd or Bridge… or even Z or Conner over the weekend. Syd and her family were forever doing things, visiting this person or that person, going shopping, going to Bluebell's and even planning a vacation that summer. Bridge had been loathed to let his parents leave him for more than a few minutes and it would have been awkward trying to talk about his situation in front of them. Z and her father had been around to the local animals shelters to get Z a kitten, while her and her mother were shopping for a new wardrobe. Conner had been out and about with his daughters when he wasn't in some meeting with Doctor Oliver.

That left Sky – constantly left drifting while the adults did various things – feeling rather lonely. Adults… he snorted to himself. For such a long time, he had considered himself an adult and the others around him. It never occurred to him that Bridge and Z were still underage and that none of them were completely legal, since no one was over twenty-one.

"You could come inside, you know." He turned to see his mother standing just outside the sliding door, her arms crossed for warmth. It was chilly – and he had been wrapped up in his winter jacket and the afghan from the couch. "Wes and Eric are ordering in some Chinese food and Taylor thinks you're being antisocial."

"What do you think?"

Jen crossed the miniscule porch and sat down in a lawn chair next to him. "I think you're confused, as you have every right to be."

"I want to talk to my friends about this," he whispered.

"I know," his mother replied. "Your attempts to find them weren't that subtle." She paused and gave him an appraising look. "Syd is your girlfriend?"

He nodded. "Her father scares me," he admitted.

"Carter?" Jen laughed. Her tone was sincere and comforting. "He's a marshmallow – and he'll love you once things settle down. He's just a little defensive because he's just now found his daughters and one of them has a boyfriend he didn't get to interview first."

"What do you think of Syd?"

She looked thoughtful. "I don't know her that well, but from what I've seen of her, I like her." She smiled. "And I trust you to have good taste. Plus Eric has been pounding his philosophy on women and dating into your head. I would expect nothing less."

Sky smiled reluctantly. His adopted father's constant advice had been to not end up with someone like Taylor and to use a condom. Then again, he realized over the years that Eric and Taylor were perfect for each from the looks they gave each other when they thought no one was looking to their constant arguments about housekeeping and nutrition.

"Look, Sky," his mother said softly, her voice serious. "Your father and I don't expect you to integrate this all at once. We don't expect you to forget all about your life here with Eric and act like none of it existed. Just know that we are always here for you, no matter what. And if you want to talk, any time of the day or night, you know how to reach us."

"Thanks," he whispered.

Jen reached over and squeezed his hand. "I think you need to come in before you catch pneumonia," she said with a smile.

He stood up, throwing the afghan over his arm. "Don't you have to go back to your time on my twenty-first birthday?" he asked.

She gave him an appraising look. "Hopefully not. Your father and I are working on something."

He nodded, feeling better to know that he wasn't going to lose one of his parents such a short time after she came into his life.

"Why do I have to see all your new clothes?"

"The answer to that should be self-explanatory."

Z spun around in the pale yellow dress once more. She had never owned anything remotely elegant like this and she wanted to revel in it to the best of her ability. Turtle Cove wasn't far from Newtech City – about a half hour drive. Her parents had offered to let Bridge's parents stay with them until they could get their situation worked out on Mirinoi. Her and Bridge were spending the night and maybe a few more in Turtle Cove as well. She could tell that neither set of parents were thrilled with that, but none of them said anything. The room they were staying in had been her bedroom fourteen years ago, but had since been redone into a guest room with a double bed. Bridge's parents were in the other guest room.

She didn't really mind that her old bedroom was now a guest room – she didn't remember her bedroom and wouldn't be interested in things that interested a three-year-old. The room had pale pink paint with a light blue bedspread – Sky and Syd would have appreciated this room more than her and Bridge.

Bridge was sitting cross-legged on the bed. Z was studiously ignoring his complaining about the fashion show. Her new clothes were all over the room. It was kind of redundant that she was trying them on again – she had tried them all on in the store, but it was so much fun to have new clothes that weren't from a cheap store.

"How do I look?"

"Gorgeous," Bridge said sincerely. Z flopped down onto the bed next to him. "Although you might want to take the price tag off."

She shoved his arm. He was wearing a green dress shirt and jeans, looking a lot more relaxed than she had seen him in a while. He grinned at her.

"I'm just glad it was you shopping and not me."

Z stood up, returning the grin. She stepped out of the dress and got back into the jeans and shirt she had been wearing. It didn't bother her to change clothes in front of Bridge – it didn't bother her to be naked in front of him and the same went for him. In addition to being lovers, they were comfortable with each other and themselves.

There was a knock on the door. "Everyone decent?" her father called.

"Yeah!" she called back.

The door opened and Cole glanced around at the chaos with a grin. "Z…" he said, shaking his head. He was trying to look mad, but failing. She could see a twinkle in his blue eyes.

"This is normal," Bridge told him.

"I'll bet." Cole looked amused. "Dinner's ready," he added before leaving the room, shutting the door behind him.

They exchanged another grin before heading downstairs to get dinner. She had never felt better, clothes shopping aside. She had always known her parents loved her.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: Thanks to AnknaraSkysurfer, BloomingViolets, garnetred, Gear's Girl, Giannola, juzblue, Moi, Peanutbutterluver1399, Samurai-Nashie, skyblue266, sky's girl forever, the real vampire, Titanium Gold and Weesta for reviewing the past chapter! I love the people that keep coming back to review and who leave such awesome comments! This story is quickly coming to a close - just a few more chapters to tie up some loose ends. Cheers!